This is the first in a series of posts about wetsuits. In this article we provide an overview of the categories of wetsuits that are generally available.

Wetsuits are firstly classified into gender, Mens wetsuits, Womens wetsuits, and also groms (childrens) wetsuits.

There are two general categories for wetsuits those being winter wetsuits, and summer wetsuits (sometimes called spring suits).

Winter wetsuits and summer wetsuits are classified based on the temperature of the water they are designed to be used in, this determines the thickness of the wetsuit material.

Wetsuits come in a variety of thicknesses ranging from 7mm to 1mm, typically there are two different thicknesses of neoprene used (but sometimes 1 or even 3 different thicknesses). Example being 5/3mm wetsuit – this refers to the thicker material covering all or part of the torso, and thinner neoprene covering arms and legs. Typical thicknesses are, 2/2mm, 3/2mm, 5/3mm, 6/4mm.

Look out for our next post shortly which explains the different styles available.

O’Neill Psycho 2 Wetsuit and Mutant/Mod Boot Series Nominated for Best Wetsuit and Accessory of the Year SANTA CRUZ (April 3, 2008) The Psycho 2 wetsuit by O’Neill has been nominated by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association as the best wetsuit. The Image Awards gives the surf industry the opportunity to recognize fellow surf industry companies for their outstanding contributions to the industry.The goal of the SIMA Image Awards is to identify the surf industry’s most influential companies and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry over the past year.As the original wetsuit brand, O’Neill has been influencing the surf industry since its infancy but it is still rewarding for O’Neill to see the brand’s efforts recognized. “The product is at the heart of what we were about in the beginning and what we continue to be about today so it is satisfying to see the Psycho 2 and the Mutant Boot series be nominated in their product divisions,” stated Bert Aram buru, O’Neill Wetsuit Director of Sales and Marketing. The Psycho 2 full suit has been the premier cold-water wetsuit on the market for the last half decade, but O’Neill exceeded consumer’s expectations again b y further im proving the Psycho 2 in 2007. O’Neill made improvements to its patented ZEN Zip; a closure that was already the most sought after and imitated entry system on the market. T he Z.E.N. Zip was reprogrammed with performance upgrades including the new Deconstructed Barrier, a Bassline Drain Hole, and a Seam less Shoulder design for flexibility and comfort in key paddle zones. Add the new Firewall X-type with X foam, completely new D-tox Knee padz, and the Psycho 2 continues to be the ultimate cold-water wetsuit.

O’Neill’s commitment to Cold Water gear was also recognized with a nomination for Accessory of the Year for its Mutant/Mod boot series. Committed to designing the best perform ing boots available O’Neill took the Mutant boot series to the next level in 2007 by introducing the 6/5/4internal split toe, and Women MOD versions to accompany the 3mmAbout O’Neill: O’Neill, the original Californian surf, snow and lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O’Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world’s first neoprene wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf session s in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after. While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack’s initial vision of producing functional and innovative boardriding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O’Neill’s set of core values –innovation in style and technology – has seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of action sports. From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and surf leash, to the world’s first stitch less board shorts and range of ground breaking wearable electronics, O’Neill’s spirit of innovation will always drive the company forwards. Today, O’Neill can be found the world over. In touch with its rich heritage and the universal stoke of board riding culture, O’Neill will always be committed to progressing that evolution and growing its reputation as one of the world’s leading youth lifestyle brands.

O’Neill wetsuits are set to release a brand new addition to their wetsuit range,  the Psycho Freak. This latest wetsuit from O’Neill is a follow on from their massively popular and successful Psycho 2 wetsuit. The new Psycho Freaks neoprene functions a bit like how a duck keeps its body warm. The inner down of the ducks feathers traps little pockets of air close to the body, which help hold in the body’s heat. O’Neill’s new neoprene has pocketed air chambers like a ducks down which helps keep in more warmth. The drying time is also massively reduced.

Near the time of release we will release more specifications, so keep your eyes peeled. Freakfish Surf Shop can’t wait to stock the new Psycho Freak as we know for sure this wetsuit will be one of 2008 falls fastest selling winter wetsuits. O’Neill have yet again set the standards in wetsuit construction and innovation.

We are currently taking pre orders on these wetsuits for the release in August 2008, the Psycho Freak, so if you want to get your hands on one please contact us.

We now stock XCEL wetsuits, our summer stock will be arriving very soon. Below you will find some information regarding the hype surrounding Xcel Wetsuits
Wetsuit of the Year, which was included in this year´s award categories for the first time ever, was given, according to SIMA, “to the wetsuit at retail in 2006 that featured the most exciting design, appeal, or innovation.”

The Infiniti Series represents Xcel´s commitment to designing and producing high-quality performance wetsuits. Since first introducing the X-ZIP front horizontal zipper system in 1997, Xcel continues to raise wetsuit industry standards with multiple innovations as part of the complete Infiniti System.

Xcel´s Infiniti Series was chosen from fellow Wetsuit of the Year nominees O´Neill Psycho 2 & the Rip Curl F Bomb

“As a Hawaii-based company celebrating our 25th anniversary, it´s especially rewarding that the surf industry has recognized our Infiniti Series as the wetsuit of the year,” says Ed D´Ascoli, president and founder of Xcel. “I´m proud of the Xcel staff dedicated to designing, producing, and delivering high-quality products that work, and our retailers who have supported us through the years. It is that dedication and our ability to stay focused on our core products which gives us the advantage over our larger competitors.”

Held each year at their annual industry conference, SIMA´s Image Awards “identify the surf industry´s most influential companies and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry over the past year.” It is the only awards program giving the surf industry the opportunity to recognize fellow surf companies for their outstanding contributions to the industry. Manufacturer´s products are nominated in specific award categories, which are then reviewed by a panel of industry experts and followed by a formal vote by SIMA members, who determine the ultimate winners.

“Having SIMA officially recognize Xcel´s Infiniti Series as the leading wetsuit design just validates what surfers in the industry using the Infiniti Series have been telling me all along,” adds Greg Wade, Xcel´s vice president of sales and marketing. “This model has been the mainstay of our line since 1997 and has always been a winner at retail. The 2006 Infiniti Series has evolved in design, comfort, performance and durability to a level that will only be topped by our 2007 Infiniti Series. I am really excited about what we have coming out this year – it keeps getting better!”

In 2006, Xcel expanded the Fusion Seam throughout the full Infiniti line, a lightweight sealed seam developed exclusively by Xcel for the Infiniti System and tested for maximum stretch and durability. Available in a variety of thicknesses for men, women, and kids, the Infiniti Series is as close to a thermal second skin as possible, while still maintaining exceptional performance.

All Infiniti wetsuits include ultra-flexible, ultra-light neoprene balancing warmth and comfort, and either X-ZIP front zipper or OS-ZIP off-set back zipper systems for greater vertical stretch.

From lighter springsuits to hooded fullsuits, Xcel continues to evolve the INFINITI Series towards the ultimate engineered fit.

About Xcel Wetsuits
Founded in 1982, Xcel Wetsuits (Xcel) is a global independent wetsuit brand distributed throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Headquartered on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawai´i, Xcel´s core wetsuit business focuses on the cutting edge of material and design development. Since 1986, Xcel has produced the annual Xcel Pro surf contest, a 4-Star Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) event.

In addition to its North Shore office, Xcel operates two retail stores on Oahu and a warehouse/repair facility in California. Xcel´s primary markets include surf, UV protection, dive, wakeboard, and paddle. To learn more about Xcel, please visit www.xcelwetsuits.com.